§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations Her Majesty's Government have had with other member Governments of the United Nations Organisation about the application of the principle of self-determination to the people of the former Netherlands West New Guinea, now known as Irian; which organs of the United Nations are seized of the question; when in 1969 the plebiscite will be held; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WhitlockUnder the Agreement reached in August, 1962, between Indonesia and the Netherlands, arrangements for the act of self-determination in West Irian are the responsibility of the Government of Indonesia, but the United Nations Secretary-General has responsibilities to
201Wadvise, assist and participate in the arrangements",and to report to the General Assembly onthe conduct of the act of self-determination and the results thereofThe United Kingdom voted in favour of General Assembly Resolution 1752(XVII) on 21st September, 1962, which took note of the Agreement and authorised the Secretary-General to carry out the tasks entrusted to him. He subsequently appointed as his representative for this purpose Senor Ortiz-Sanz, who has been in the area since August, 1968.Consultations between members of the United Nations are not called for in present circumstances.
The Indonesian Government has affirmed its intention to effect the act of free choice before the end of 1969, as required by the Agreement, but no precise date has been set.